Grant Cunningham takes home his first title
Stafford's Grant Cunningham was crowned British Bronze Masters super-middleweight champion after a points win over Telford's Kieron Gray.
The 30-year-old recorded a 79-75 victory at the Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock, writes Dan Mole.
Cunningham extended his unbeaten run to 10 straight professional victories with a composed performance on Saturday against his experienced opponent.
The pair, friends outside the ring, had crossed swords before at amateur level. On that occasion Gray was victorious but Cunningham, nicknamed 'Maximus,, is a different animal in the paid ranks.
He needs to fight more regularly in order to realise his potential, but there is no doubting his ability.
'Slammer' Gray flew quickly out of the blocks and imposed decent early pressure as he looked to make it a brawl.
It took Cunningham a round or two to get into his stride, but by the third he was beginning to take control of proceedings.
Snappy hooks, uppercuts and stiff jabs kept Gray at distance and a particularly spiteful right hook had the durable Shropshire man in trouble in the sixth.
Gray used his ring nous to see the contest through though and, to his credit, was still pushing at the final bell.
But the result was in no doubt as referee Gareth Morris awarded Cunningham the win and his first professional title.
He said: "I felt great in there. That was my first eight-rounder and I did it comfortably. After the first couple of rounds I got into my stride.
"Kieron is known for a tight defence, but I opened him up and hurt him. I have the utmost respect. He's a gentleman and a good fighter. It was a pleasure sharing a ring with him."
Elsewhere on the card, it was a family affair for Stoke cousins Kieran and Joshua McLaren.
Kieran, on his debut, took a 40-36 points win at light-welterweight against Nuneaton's Kristian Laight, having his 200th professional contest and 184th loss.
Joshua also had his hand raised via a 40-36 win, his coming against Barnsley's Jamie Zaszlos.
Marcus Le Doux drew with fellow Stoke fighter Mark Till 38-38, despite seemingly having the better of every round. Chester's Nathan Clarke beat Trowbridge's Dan Carr by 40-36.
